Government Official States MoD Examining Potential Threat from Vehicles from China, as Staff Told to Refrain from Confidential Discussions in Cars.
An defence minister has stated that the MoD is actively investigating the potential security risks associated with Chinese cars, while staff have been instructed to avoid discussing secret matters in any vehicles.
Safety Advice for MoD Staff
During a recent interview on a radio station, a defence minister commented on claims that MoD officials have been instructed not to talk about secret information while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
He explained that the ministry is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but noted that safety is a issue in all contemporary cars.
We have a collection of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and Chinese ones account for a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence technology into their car, to avoid having conversations at a classified classification in any kind of vehicle, because of the growing risks of surveillance that exist in every single automobile, to only have those secret talks in protected areas. That’s a wise and sensible thing for everyone concerned about security.
After it was suggested that it would be wise for the MoD to stop using every cars from China, Pollard replied: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into at the moment.”
Wider Defence Background
This announcement follows reports from Norway and Denmark have alerted the United Kingdom to the existence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese-made buses, which could allow China to switch off buses and bring chaos to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russia spy ship has been directing lasers at Royal Air Force aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” action by government representatives.
This wider defence environment underscores the importance of strong measures and vigilance in all areas of official activities, including vehicle use to communication practices.
